Tetradrachm of Antiochos III the Great of Syria c. 223

Curator: Look at this, will you? It's a Tetradrachm of Antiochos III the Great of Syria, currently residing at the Harvard Art Museums. Editor: Oh, a coin! At first glance, it looks like a ghostly relic, almost ethereal in its pale silver. It whispers of stories, doesn't it? Curator: Indeed! On one side, we see the idealized profile of Antiochos himself. A tangible symbol of royal power and propaganda, wouldn't you agree? Editor: Absolutely. The figure on the reverse, seated, is particularly intriguing. He embodies a sense of divine authority. Is that Apollo? Curator: Precisely! Apollo, often linked with kingship. Think of the symbolism! It's like seeing a little theater of power condensed into a tiny coin. Editor: It makes you wonder about all the hands this little piece has passed through. Echoes of empires, solidified in metal. Curator: It's an object that held value and meaning for everyday transactions. It's a symbol. Now, it invites us to reflect on legacy and the enduring power of images. Editor: In its own way, it's a window into the past. A tangible connection to a world that's both utterly gone and eternally preserved.